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March 22, 1932. D. o. PEEBLES SEPARATING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 12, 1929 FIE E- IN VEN TOR. .Dar/dfl Peebhs w Yfiwze/ud A TTORNEYS.

Patented Mar. 22, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

Application. filed October 12, 1929. Serial no. 399,220.

This invention relates generally to apparatus for effecting a separation between solid particles and gas. It apflies particularl to separating apparatus 0 the centrifuga or cyclonic type, in which swirlin air currents are employed to effect a centri ugal separation.

In the operation of centrifugal or cyclonic separators, a certain amount of power is requlred to cause the gas to flow or circulate through the apparatus. In the past the amount of power consumed has been considerable, and attempts-to secure more economical operation have generally resulted in a loss of separating efliciency. Assuming a separator of a given capacity, the amount of power consumed depends largely upon the manner in which the gas currents are handled as they flow through the apparatus. The gas currents swirling about within the separating chamber have considerable kinetic energy, and with separators of the prior art I have found that all or a considerable portion of this kinetic energy is wasted, thus materially increasing the total amount of power re uired.

t is a general object of the present invention to devise a separating apparatus of the above character which will have a relatively high separating efliciency, and at the same time will require a relatively small amount of power for its operation.

Further objects-of the invention will appear from the following description in which I have set forth the preferred embodiment of my invention. It is to be understood that the appended claims are to be accorded a range of equivalents consistent with the state of the prior art.

Figure 1 is a side elevational view partly in cross section, illustrating a device incorporating the principles of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan View of the device as shown in Fig. 1, a portion of the upper wall of the separating c amber being bro en away.

Fig. 3 1s a detail cross section along the line 33 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a perspective detail illustrating the means which I prefer to employ in con unction with the outflow conduit.

The apparatus as illustrated in the drawmgs COIlSlStS of a separating chamber 10 thru which gas is continuously circulated when the separator is in operation. This chamber is preferably symmetrical in that it is circular in transverse cross section, and it can be formed to provide an upper cylindrical portion 11 and a lower conical portion 12. For introducing gas together with suspended solid particles into chamber 10, I rovid'e an inflow conduit 13, which is pre erably arranged tangentially with respect to the chamber 10 in order to impart a swirling or cyclonic movement to the gas. Gas is removed from chamber 10 thru the outflow conduit 14, this conduit being shown extending downwardly thru the top wall 16. The opening 17 at the inner end of conduit 14 is preferably substantially concentric with the axis of chamber 10. An external outflow conduit 18 communicating with conduit 14, can be of substantially greater cross sectional area than the area of opening 17. The lower end of conical portion 12 is shown provided with a valve 19 or equivalent means, to permit removal of separated solid constituents.

Assuming that gas is introduced into chamber 10 with considerable velocity thru inflow conduit 13, together with suspended solid particles, the gas and solid particles will swirl about the interior ofchamber 10, forming what can be termed a cyclonic or vertical movement. By virtue of centrifugal force the solid particles are thrown against the inner walls of chamber. 10 and collect in the lower part of conical portion 12, from which they can be removed thru valve 19. Gas removed from the interior'of chamber 10 thru conduit 14, will be substantially free from solid particles.

If the device as described above is operated without additional means such as will be presently described, the kinetic energy of gas swirling about chamber 10 is substantially entirely dissipated. In my invention I utilize at least a substantial portion of the kinetic energy of the swirling gas, in order to aid flow of gas thru conduit 14. I accomplish this by the use of special means in con- Junction with conduit 14, which diverts a same longitudinally conduit 14 without substantially dissipating its kinetic energy.

The means utilized m conjunction with conduit 14 may vary as to form, but is shown in the present instance as comprising a wall 21 which is secured to the lower edge of conduit 14, and which extends substantially diametrically across-the conduit opening 17. The intermediate portion of this wall can be substantially flat as shown, and is in a plane common to the axis of chamber 10. Both ends of wall 21 are preferably extended be-.

yond the side walls of conduit 14, to provide similar portions 22 and 23. These portions are oppositely curved as shown in Figs. 2 and 4, their concave faces being directed oppositely to the direction-of swirling gas within chamber 10. In conjunction with walls 21, I prefer to employ walls 26 and 27. Wall 26 has one portion 28 which is secured to the lower edge of curved portion 22, and another ortion 29 which is curved upwardly towar opening 17 and which is secured to the intermediate portion of wall 21. The upper edge of curved portion 29 preferably terminates adjacent to that side wall of conduit 14 which is remote from the side wall adjacent portion 22, as is clear from Figs. 2 and 4. Wall 27 is constructed similarly to wall 26, being provided with a portion 31 similar to portion 28, and a portion 32 similar to p ortion 29. Walls 26 and 27 are of course positioned upon opposite sides of wall 21. When my improved separating apparatus is in operation, portions 22 and 23 extend into the inner peripheral portion of the swirling gas zone within the separating chamber. Therefore they serve as scoops to divert a certain amount of the swirling gas, and because of the curvature of portions 22 and 23, the diverted gas is directed inwardly toward the axis of chamber 10. At the same time walls 26 and 27 serve to direct the diverted gas upwardly and into the o ening 17 of conduit 14, so that streams o? diverted gas are discharged into conduit 14 longitudinally of the same. Atthe same time, a certain amount of gas from the interior of the chamber is caused to flow into opening 17 of conduit 14, in addition tothe gas which is diverted by ortions 22 and 23. It is apparent that wit my invention the kinetic energy of gas diverted by portions 22 and 23 is not dissipated, but is effectively utilized to aid flow of gas thru conduit 14. Thus the amount of power consumed by causing gas to flow thru my apparatus is reduced to a minimum. It should be noted that the diverting of gas from the swirling gas zone does not decrease the effectiveness of the separating action, and in fact actual tests have shown that my apparatus will produce a higher degree of separation than other separating apparatus. utilizing substantially the same or even a greater amount of power. It is of course apparent that the extent of portions 22 and 23 must be limited, in order not to divert swirling gas from which the solid particles have not been separated by centrifugal action.

I claim:

1. In a device for effecting a separation between solid particles and a gas, a chamber, means for introducing gas and suspended solid particles tangentially into said chamber to effect a swirling movement of gas within the chamber, a discharge conduit extending into the chamber substantially axially of the same, the inner end of said conduit being open-to the interior of thechamber, and a wallextending diametrically across the open inner end of said conduit and having its end portions extending from the sides of the conduit, said end portions being oppositely curved to catch a portion of the swirling as currents and divert the same diametricvilly toward the open end of the conduit, and a scoop adjacent said wall for gradually changing the diametrical movement of the diverted gas to longitudinal movement through said conduit.

2. In a device for cfiecting a separation between solid particles and a gas, a chamber, means for introducing gas and suspended solid particles tangentially into said chamber to effect a swirling movement of gas within the chamber, a discharge conduit extending into the chamber substantially axially of the same, the inner end of said conduit being open to the interior of the chamber, and. a wall extending diametrically across the open inner end of said conduit and having its end portions extending from the sides of the con duit, said end portions being oppositely curved to catch a portion of the swirling gas currents and divert the same diametrically toward the open end of the conduit and additional walls in conjunction with said first named wall for gradually directing the diverted gas into the conduit and longitudinally of the same.

3. In a device for eiiecting a separation between solid particles and a gas, a chamber into which the gas together with said particles is continuously introduced, means for causing a swirling movement of gas within the chamber whereby a centrifugal separation is effected, and means for removing gas from said chamber substantially free from said particles, said last means including a conduit disposed substantially axially of the chamber and of said swirling movement, and a scoop associated with said conduit, said scoop having a portion offset from said axis with an open side faced in a direction opposite to the direction of motion of gas within the chamber whereby gas is diverted from the swirling current and is caused to move in a direction diametrically across said conduit, and a second scoop serving to gradually change the diametrical movement of the di verted gas to longitudinal movement through said conduit, said scoops being disposed over only a portion of the conduit opening, whereby the gas which is not diverted by the scoops can flow longitudinally through said conduit without obstruction b said scoops.

4. In a device for e ecting a separation between solid particles and a gas, a chamber into which the gas together with said particles is continuously introduced, means for causing a swirling movement of gas within the chamber whereby a centrifugal separation is effected, and means for removing gas from said chamber substantially free from said particles, said last means including a conduit disposed substantially axially of the chamber and of said swirling movement, and a scoop associated with said conduit, said scoop having a portion offset from said axis with an open side faced in a direction opposite to the direction of motion of gas within the chamber whereby gas is diverted from the swirling current and is caused to move in a direction diametrically across said conduit, and a second scoop serving to gradually change the diametrical movement of the diverted gas to longitudinal movement through. said conduit, said scoops being disposed over only a portion of the conduit opening leaving portions of the opening in the formof segments of a circular area whereby the gas which is not diverted by the scoops can flow freely through the unobstructed segmental opening portions.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

DAVID D. PEEBLES. 

